Mining machine



Sept. '10, 1946. E. RAMSAY MINING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 ERSKINE RAMSAY INVENTOR ATIEJR'NEY, I

Sept. 10, 1946'. E. RAMSAY MiNING MAGHINEY Filed July 3', 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR B M EREKINE RAM-SAY ATTOR EY Sept. 10, 1946. E. RAMSAY 2,407,443

MINING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1 944 7 Sheets-Sheet- 5 E R SKIN EAM SAY INVENTOR Sept, 10, 1946.

nu nnum R AMSAY MINING MACHINE Filed July 5 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I ER'S KINE RAMs/w INVENTOR ATTORNEY I E. R MSAY MINING MACHINE EREK NERAM SAY :INV'ENTOR ATTORNEY Filed Jui'y s, 1944 lllllllllnllllillllllll Sept. 10, 1946.

Sept. 10, 1946." -E.RAMSAY 2 4 4 I MINING MACHINE I Filed July 3, 1944 '7 sli eis-sneet' s I ERsKmER-AMSAY INVENTOR BY ATrbRNEY Sept. 10, 1946. E. RAMSAY w MINING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 EREKIN E ,R AM SAY IN VENTOIy I ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MINING ll/IACHINE Erskine Ramsay, Birmingham, Ala.

Application July 3, 1944, Serial No. 543,304

This invention relates to machines for mining coal, and has for its principal object the pro- Vision. of self propelled apparatus of the character designated which shall be adapted for driving headings and air courses in mines while mov-' ing forwardly and which shall be'reversible and adapted for cutting out the pillars alongside said headings and air courses on reverse movement.

A further object'of my invention is to provide a mining machine which shall embody a pair of gangs of cutter bars pivotally mounted on the front of the machine to project forwardly therefrom, together with means to swing and spread said gangs of bars apart and hold them to their spread-apart working positions, whereby a heading may be driven by forward movement of the machine with the gangs of bars held close together and upon reverse movement the gangs of cutters may be spread apart and operated to widenthe heading and remove pillars.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a self propelled reversible mining machine adapted to make a cut moving forwardly or rearwardly and which shall include a conveyor for removing material broken down by the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mining machine which shall embody a pair of games of cutter bars pivotally mounted on vertically disposed parallel shafts at the front of the machine to project forwardly therefrom, the construction of the shafts being such that the cutters in each gang may be separated or brought closer together and the shafts lengthened or shortened, thus to accommodate the machine to seams of various thicknesses.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates. the mining of coal manually consists of the following laborious operations: (a) first the seam is undercut with pick and shovel or undercutting, mechanism so that it may be broken down; (1)) holes are then drilled for blasting and are loaded with explosive; (c) the ex plosive is fired, breaking down the coal; (at) the coal is then loaded in cars by hand or loading machine and hauled out of the mine; (6) the working plane must then be cleaned up and the roof timbered so that the operations just described may be repeated. It will be observed that by this system of mining, the only time coal is delivered from the mine is during the period (d) when it is being loaded in the cars.

It is accordingly a prime object of my invention to provide a machine which will mine coal with no manual digger or loading and which will 6 Claims. (01. zszzs) Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the guide means of Fig. 4, taken substantially along the lines VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the single front supporting wheel and its means of adjustment;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken along the line VIIVII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of one of the sectional shafts upon which the gangs of cutters are mounted and indicating associated parts in dash lines for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View showing the drive for the cutter chains;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional .view showing one of the jacks employed for adjusting the spacing between the cutter chain housings;

Fig. 11 is a detail plan view showing the mechanism for swinging the gangs of cutters inwardly and outwardly;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIIIXIII of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15 and showing the mounting for the cutter chains;

Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a detail plan view showing the means for loading the coal on to the conveyor as it is broken down;

Fig. 19 is a detail view showing the mechanism for operating the jack screws between the cutter housings;

Fig. 20 is a detail view of one ofthe guide posts upon which the cutter driving sprocket housings are mounted; and

Fig. 21 is a detail view of a worm shaft mounting for one of the jack screws.

Referring now to the drawings, the main frame of my machine consists of longitudinally extending channel members 5 and 6 to which is welded a main frame plate l which extends from the rear to the front of the machine. At 8 and 9 are shown driving wheels, each of which is mounted on a stub axle 80, the axle being carried by a mounting bracket l I which is vertically slidable in guides l2 secured to the underside of the main frame plate 1, which driving wheels form the principal support for the machine. See Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Mounted on the frame plate 1 is a short section of a channel I3, and secured to the channel l3 and to the channel 5 alongside thereof is a bracket M in which is rotatably mounted an adjusting nut l6, through which is threaded an adjusting screw I l. The screw I1 engages the top of the wheel housing H and the nut It may be rotated by means of the hand wheel 18, whereby the height of the frame, with respect to the driving wheels 8 and 9, may be varied.

The forward portion of the machine is supported by a single wheel i9 which is mounted in a wheel housing 2i which in turn is mounted in guides 22 and 23 secured under the underside of the main frame plate I. Mounted above the main frame plate l is an adjusting bracket 25 in which is rotatably mounted an adjusting nut 26, through which extends a supporting, adjusting screw 21, operated by a hand wheel 23. By the means shown the front of the machine may be raised or lowered relative to the rear of the machine, and the inclination of the machine with respect to the horizontal thus varied.

My improved machine is propelled forwardly or rearwardly, as required, by means of a reversing motor 29, which is mounted centrally at the 7 rear of the machine in an opening 30, formed in the main frame plate I.

The rear of the frame is reinforced for this purpose by means of cross channels 3| and 32, from which the motor 29 is suspended, and a cross plate 33 mounted on top of the channels 3! and 32. The motor 29 drives through shafts 34 and 35 protruding'from its ends, the shafts 34 and 36 carrying elements of clutches 3'! and 38 which may be connected selectively to worm shafts 39 and 4|, having mounted thereon, respectively, worms 42 and 43. The worms 42 and 43 mesh with worm gears 44 and 46, mounted respectively in housings 4'. and 48, on opposite sides of the machine. The worm gears 44 and 46 are connected, respectively, to forwardly extending drive shafts 49 and SI, each of which carries on its forward end a worm 52 which meshes with a worm gear 53. The worm gears 53 are connected to the drive wheels 8 and 9. See Fig. 4. By the means shown, the drive wheels 8 and 9 may be driven in unison or may be driven separately to change the direction of the machine.

The cutting mechanism employed with my improved machine comprises cutter chains 54 having mounted thereon cutters 58. See Fig. '16. This mechanism is so well known in the art to which my invention relates it requires no detailed description. The cutter chains are mounted in pairs in housings 5'! having driving sprockets 58 and 59 at the rear and smooth pulleys 6i at the front around which the cutter chains run. See Fig. 9. The sprockets 58 and 59 for each housing 5! are mounted on a short shaft 62 which in turn is journalled in the walls of a sup.-

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porting housing 63. Mounted in the housing 63 between the sprockets 53 and is a sprocket 55 which is driven by a chain 65.

The upper housing 63, on the inner side thereof, is provided with an integral bracket 55 which is secured to a guide post 6%. See Fig, 20. The next lower housings are provided with similar brackets which are slidably mounted on said guide post. The guide post is hollow and has its lower end slidably mounted in a sleeve 15 which is fixedly supported in the frame plate 1-. Beneath the frame plate I is a similar guide post 1!! which is secured to the lowest bracket 65 on the lowest housing 83, and on which the intermediate brackets are slidably mounted. The guide post 60 telescopes in the hollow post 18. The structure described permits vertical movement of the housing 63 but, in association with the main driving shaft, about to be described, holds said housing against angular movement.

It will be noted from a consideration of Fig. 1 that the cutting mechanism just described is mounted in two gangs indicated generally by the numerals 6'! and 63, which extend forwardly from the machine, and which may be brought close together to the full line positions shown in Fig. 1 or spread apart to the dotted line positions by mechanism to be described later. The gang of cutters 6'! is supported and driven from a main supporting and driving shaft 69, while the gang of cutters 68 is supported and driven from a main supporting and driving shaft ll. Details of the construction and mounting of the shafts 89 and H is shown in Fig. 8. Mounted on the shafts 69 and H in each of the housings 63 is a driving sprocket 12 which drives the sprocket 84 through the chain 66. See Fig. 9.

Each of the driving and supporting shafts comprises a plurality of internally toothed sleeves l3, l4 and It, into which fit externally-toothed shaft sections l8, 19, SI and 82. Each of the sections thus described has fixedly mounted thereon one of the housings 83. The central sleeve section 14 is mounted in a suitable hearing 63 in the frame plate 7 and is held against vertical movement therein. The upper end of each of the shafts 69 and H is braced by means of a member 84 in which the shaft may rotate and move vertically and which extends downwardly and rearwardly to join the main frame at 86. The lower end of each of the shafts is braced by a member 81 in which the shaft may rotate and move vertically and which extends rearwardly and upwardly to join the main frame at 88. In order to provide additional support and stiffness to the main frame I secure cross channels 89 and 9! thereto where the braces 84 and 81 are joined, as may be seen in Fig. 2. It will also be seen from the construction just described, that the sectional shafts l'i9 and H may be lengthened or shortened by relative movement between the outwardly toothed sections and the sleeve members.

The cutter chain housings 5i arespaced apart and supported with respect to each other by means of jack screws 92, 93 and 95, the latter two being interposed between adjacent housings 63. As shown in Fig. 2, there are three sets of these jack screws above, and three below the frame plate 1. A detail of one of these jack screws is shown in Fig. 10. These jack screws are operated in unison by mechanism about to be described and function to adjust the gangs of cutters to the width of the seam being mined. With a thick scam, the cutter housings are separated g be.

further, while with a narrow seam they are brought closer together. In event a very narrow seam of coal is encountered, the upper section 18 and the lower section 82 of the shaft, either or both, may be removed. This may be accomp d y w g the associated jack screws 92, 93 and 95 entirely out of their adjacent housings. It will be seen from the foregoing description that the vertical support for the gangs of cutters 61 and 68 is derived from the shaft section 14, the bearing 83, and the frame plate 1. The cutter housings 51 and 63, below the frame plate 1, therefore, are suspended by the jack screws 92, 93 and 95, while those above the frame plate 1 bear downwardly on their associated jack screws.

The gangs of cutters hereinbefore described are driven by means of four motors 91, 98, 99 and I60. These motors are mounted, two above the main frame plate 1, and two below, as may be seen in Fig. 3. Each of the motors 91 and 93 has mounted on its shaft a pinion IDI which meshes with a gear I93, mounted on the driving and supporting shaft 69 or II as the case may Similarly the motors 99 and I66 are each provided with a pinion I96, only one being shown, which mesh with a gear I91 mounted on the shaft 69 or H, as the case may be, below the frame plate 1. The cutter chains on the gangs 61 and 68 are driven by their respective motors in opposite directions as shown bythe arrows in Fig. 1 so that the. cutting by each gang i done by the outside flight as it moves rearwardly.

All the jack screws 92, 93 and 95 above the frame plate 1, may be driven in unison from a motor I98 mounted centrally of the machine above the frame plate 1. Similarly, all of the jack screws 92, 93 and 95, below the frame plate 1 may be driven in unison by means of a motor IIi), mounted beneath the frame plate 1. Inasmuch as the driving means for all the sets of jack screws are identical, only one will be described, having particular reference to Fig. 19. Each of the motors I98 and I19, as may be seen from Fig. 1, has a shaft on both ends, each of which drives three sprockets I99, III and H2. Each of the sprockets I69, III and II 2 is connected by means of a chain I I3 to a sprocket I I4 mounted on a shaft i I5. As may be seen in Fig. the shaft II5 has mounted thereon a pinion 2I which meshes with a gear I22 mounted on a shaft I23, which is supported in turn, from the jack screws 93 and 95. Mounted on the shaft I23 are worms I24 and I26 which mesh respectively with worm gears I21 and I28 mounted respectively on the jack screws 93 and 95.

The shaft I23 also has mounted thereon a sprocket I29 which drives a shaft I3I mounted near the outer end of the housing 51, through a chain I 32 and sprocket I33 mounted on said shaft I3 I. The shaft I BI has mounted thereon a worm I34 which meshes with a worm gear I36, carried by the jack screw 92. The worm shaft I3I, as maybe seen in Fig. 21, is held against turning about the jack screws by a guide post I I6 mounted above on the housing 51 which telescopes into a sleeve II1 on the housing below, and which coacts with the gear housing H8 for the worm gear I36. Interposed between the sprocket I29 and the sprocket I33 are guide rollers I31 and I38 which are suitably mounted on the housing 51 so that the housing 51 may swing outwardly rel- V ative to the housing 63, as shown in Fig. 1, withdrive of each set of jack screws 92, 93 and 95 is similar to that just described and its description will not be repeated. It will be understood, however, that as the housings 51 and 63 are raised or lowered, compensation for the varying distances between the motors I68 and I I6 and their associated driven sprockets must be made. Ihis may be accomplished by shortening or lengthening the chains H3, H6 and H8 or by any other suitable means known to the art.

The mechanism for varying the positions of the gangs of cutters 61 and 68 relative to each other will now be described. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 11 to 13, the gang of cutters 61, above the frame plate 1, has connected thereto an operating link I52 and beneath the frame plate 1 has connected thereto an operating link I53. The links I52 and I53 are connected to rearwardly extending links I54 and I51 by means of a pin I56. The links I 54 and I51 are connected at their rear ends to a cross head I59 mounted in a guide slot IBI in the frame plate I. A pin I62 extends downwardly through the cross head I59 and joins both the links I54 and I51 thereto. Similarly the gang of cutters 68 has connected thereto operating links I63 and I64 by means of a pin 65 which links, in turn, are connected to links I66 and I61 by means ofa pin I19. The links I66 and I61 are connected by means of a pin I66 to the cross head I59. A guide way I5I is formed in, and extends alon the frame plate 1, as shown in Fig. 11, the length of the links I54 and I51, It then divides to form flaring guideways I69 and I1I. These flaring guideways I69 and HI accommodate the pins I56 and I19, respectively, which connect the upper and lower links I52 and I53 and I63 and I64, respectively. The cross head I59 is projected forwardly and retracted rearwardly by means of a jack screw I 16 in threaded engagement therewith, which jack screw is mounted in bearings I11 and I18, on the plate 1, and is provided with a hand wheel I19 by means of which it is operated. As will be seen in Fig. 11, the frame plate 1 is cut out at I8I and I82 to provide room for the jack screw I16 and wheel I19. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that when the operating links I52 and I53 are retracted to the full line positions shown, the gangs of cutters 61 and 68 are drawn toward each other so that a cut of minimum width is made. When the cros head I59 is moved forwardly so that the operating links I52 and I63 assume the dotted positions shown in Fig. 1, the gangs of cutters 61 and 58 are spread apart to their widest working positions. It is contemplated that when the gangs of cutters are in the dotted positions shown in Fig. 1, the machine will be propelled rearwardly and the pillars and sides of a course already driven, broken down. Itwill thus be seen that by means of my improved machine a mining operation may be carried on with a minimum, or no timbering, as the timbering required will be that necessary to support the roof of a course at the rear of a machine, This timbering will be removed as the machine moves rearwardly upon a reverse operation. A course is driven while the machine is being propelled forwardly and the pillars at the side removed as the machine is being propelled rearwardly. It will be understood that it may sometimes be necessary to omit the mining of pillars where required' to support structures, streams, or highways on the ground above. This can readily be done by means of my machine by bringing the gangs of cutters to the full line positions shown in Fig. '1 and by then moving rearwardly to a point where the removing of pillars is to commence again, when the gangs of cutters 91 and 98 are again separated.

In order that the material may be removed from the machine as it is broken down, I provide conveying mechanism which will now be described. Mounted centrally beneath the machine and supported from the frame thereof in any suitable manner, not shown, is a conveyor I85 comprising a conveyor belt I86, mounted on pulleys I81, only one being shown. The forward end of the conveyor I 95 is just to the rear of the driving and supporting shafts 69 and II and in order to remove the material broken down into its path, I provide transversely extending screw conveyors I 88 and I89 driven from a motor I99 mounted on the frame plate I, and driving the screw conveyors I 33 and I 99, respectively, through sprockets I9I and I92, from sprocket chains I93. I89 are oppositely pitched so that coal is brought in from the sides toward the center, into the path of the conveyor E85. It is contemplated that the conveyor I85 will be in sections so that it may be lengthened and shortened as shown and described in my prior Patent No. 2,320,653, dated June 1, 1943.

Referring now to Figs. 15, 17 and 18, I show a modified form of my invention which, while including the principal features heretofore described, is somewhat simplified and differs principally in the manner of drive. In accordance with this modification, I show gangs of cutters 299 and 29I which are similar to the gangs 81 and t8, already described, and which may be brought to the full line positions shown in Fig. 15, or spread apart to the dotted positions shown therein, by means of operating links 292 and 293; which links operate in a manner identical to the links I52 and I63, heretofore described and shown in Fig. 1. In this modification I show no means for separating the separate cutter chain housings but these details have not been repeated for the reason that the distinctive features of this modification may be better understood and illustrated without them, In accordance with this modification the gangs of cutters 299 and 29I are driven by means of two motors 295 and 2I9 mounted respectively above and below the frame plate I. The motor 295 has on its shaft, which protrudes from both ends thereof, worms 294 and 296 which mesh, respectively, with worm gears 201 and 298, mounted on gang supporting and driving shafts 299 and 2| I. Likewise, the motor 2 I9 drives Worms 2 I2, only one being shown, which mesh with worm gears 2I3, mounted on the supporting and drive shafts 299 and 2I I, beneath the frame plate I.

In accordance with this modification I provide a different means for raising the material being broken down by the gangs of cutters into the conveyor I95. This means for raising the material comprises a scoop 2 I5 which is suspended by means of links 2I6 from the frame plate I. The bottom 2|! of the scoop is formed with a series of inclined planes and vertical faces as shown in Fig. 17 so that when it is reciprocated, it propells the material in it upwardly and delivers it into the conveyor I85. Mounted in suitable bearings at the sides and in front of the scoop 2I5 are shafts 2I8 and M9 upon which are mounted propellers 22 I. The shafts 2 I8 and 2 I9 are driven by means of sprocket chains 222, mounted on sprockets 223, on the supporting and drive shafts 299 and 2H, and sprockets 224 on the shafts 2I8 The flights of the conveyors I88 and :5.

above.

8 and 2I9. It will be seen that as the material is drawn rearwardly by the gangs of cutters 299 and 29I, it is thrown by rotation of the propellers 22I into the scoop 2I5.

Also mounted on each of the shafts 2I8 and 2 I9, is a cam 226 which, as the shaft rotates, engases the supporting link 2I6 and causes the scoop to reciprocate back and forth. A spring 227 pulls the scoop 2I5 quickly forward when released by the cam 226.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved mining machine will be readily understood. The gangs of cutters 5'! and 69 or 299 and NI, as the case may be, are driven in the directions shown by the arrows so that the outer flight of each gang of cutters moves rearwardly. When the machine is being propelled forwardly, the gangs of cutters are brought to the positions shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 15, that is, as close together as possible, so that they assume a somewhat wedge shape, narrow at front, and .the flights act to break down the coal along the outer sides the full length of both gangs and across the front at the ends. When the course has been driven :the desired length, the cutter gangs are spread outwardly to the dotted positions shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 15, whereupon the pillars at the sides of the course are removed. The machine when being propelled rearwardly, is supported from cave in by the pillars at the sides thereof and, as the coal is removed, the earth may be allowed to cave in behind the cutters as they recede, except where necessary for support of the ground As the coal is broken down, it is picked up and removed by the conveyors shown. In accordance with the modification shown in Fig. l, the depth occupied by the gangs of cutters 61 and B8 or the distances between the cutter housings may be varied by means of the jack screws and mechanism for driving them shown therein and the machine thus accommodated to seams of different thicknesses and friability; the greater the friability, the greater the distance between cutter housings. With very thin seams, one or two of the cutter housings may be removed.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised an improved self propelled reversible mining machine which is adapted to drive headings and air courses in mines while moving forwardly and which shall be adapted on reverse movement to remove the pillars alongside thereof. It will further be seen that I have devised simple effective means for operating gangs of cutter bars whereby said improved result may be obtained.

While I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. I a mining machine, a main frame, a pair of vertically disposed driving shafts mounted side by side at the front of the frame, a. gang of cutters embodying a-plurality of cutter chain housings mounted on each of the shafts and extending forwardly therefrom, cutter chains mounted in the housings and having cutter elements extending outwardly therefrom, means to drive the cutter chains from the drive shafts in opposite directions with th cutter elements on the outer flights moving rearwardly toward the machine.

ters embodying a plurality of cutter chain housings mounted on each of the shafts and extending forwardly therefrom, cutter chains mounted in the housings and having cutter elements extending outwardly therefrom, means to driv the cutter chains from the drive shafts in opposite directions with the cutter elements on the outer flights of each chain moving rearwardly toward the machine, spreader arms. pivotally connected to the gangs of cutters, a cross head to which the inner ends of the spreader arms are pivotally connected, guide means for the crosshead carried by the frame, a jack screw mounted on the frame and connected to the cross head and adapted to adjust the position of the crosshead, and reversi ble means for driving the machine forwardly and rearwardly.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in combination with means for varying the distance between the cutter housings whereby to vary the vertical distanc occupied by the gangs of cutter housings.

4. In a mining machine, a main frame including longitudinal beams and a platespanning the beams, a main guide way. formed in the plate and extending longitudinally thereof, flaring branch guide ways connected to the forward end of themain guide way and extending laterally at an angle thereto, a pair of cutter gangs pivotally mounted on the frame and extending forwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the guideway, and reciprocable links connected to the cutter gangs and adapted to travel in the guideways for varying the angular positions of the cutter gangs.

5. In a mining machine, a, main frame including longitudinal beams and a plate spanning the beams, a main guideway formed in the plate and extending longitudinally thereof, flaring branch guideways connected to the forward end of the mai guideway and extending laterally at an angle thereto, a pair of cutter gangs pivotally moun ed on the fram and extending forwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the guideway, reciprocable links connected to the cutter gangs and adapted to travel in the guideways for varying the angular positions of the cutter gangs, a pair of driving wheels mounted on opposite sides of the frame, reversible means for driving the driving wheels, and means to raise and lower the driving wheels with respect to the frame.

6. In a mining machine, a main frame, gangs of cutters pivotally mounted on the main frame to project forwardly side by side from the main frame and. eachcomprising a plurality of housings having cutter chains mounted therein, jack screws for separating the cutter chain housings, said jack screws being disposed between the housings, means to operate the jack screws in unison to vary the distances between the housings, an extensibl drive shaft for each of the gangs of cutters, means to drive the drive shafts in opposite directions whereby the outer flights of the cutter chains move rearwardly toward the machine, and means to swing the gangs of cutters around their pivots to vary the relative distances between the outer ends thereof.

ERSKINE RAMSAY. 

